New Ukrainian defence minister takes office as ousted predecessor calls for wartime elections

Live updates

1. 21d ago

   Zelenskyy describes dismissed defense minister's election calls as misguided

   President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly detailed a dispute with dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, labeling Fedorov's involvement in mass protests and calls for elections as misguided. This follows the appointment of Ruslan Khmara to the role. While the government moves forward with new leadership, the rift highlights internal tensions regarding political processes during the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv for Independence Day to pledge continued British support for Ukraine.

   Why it matters

   The defense ministry transition occurs as Ukraine manages severe military challenges and internal political pressure. The shift from Fedorov to Khmara follows a five-hour questioning session by the defense committee.

   What is confirmed

   • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's involvement in mass protests and calls for an election were misguided.
   • UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv for Ukraine Independence Day and stated the UK is behind Ukraine for as long as it takes.

   What to watch next

   • Official response from Mykhailo Fedorov regarding Zelenskyy's comments
   • Details on Ruslan Khmara's first policy directives as defense minister
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. consent.yahoo.com — Ukraine's ousted defence minister plans US trip to raise project funding
   2. apnews.com — Zelenskyy details rift with dismissed defense minister, saying some of his actions were misguided
   3. www.pbs.org — Zelenskyy details rift with Ukraine's dismissed defense minister Fedorov
   4. www.lbc.co.uk — Andy Burnham visits Kyiv to mark Ukraine Independence Day in first foreign trip as PM
   confidence 90%
2. 27d ago

   Ukraine's new defense minister takes office

   Ukraine's parliament has approved a new defense minister, Ruslan Khmara, amid calls for wartime elections from ousted predecessor Oleksiy Reznikov. The approval comes as Ukraine faces ongoing military challenges. Reznikov had served as defense minister since November 2021 but was dismissed earlier this week. His replacement, Khmara, was approved by the defense committee after a five-hour questioning session.

   Why it matters

   The changes in Ukraine's defense ministry come at a critical time, with the country engaged in an ongoing conflict with Russia. The appointment of a new defense minister is seen as a significant development in Ukraine's military leadership. The calls for wartime elections by Reznikov add to the political tensions in the country.

   What is confirmed

   • Ukraine's parliament has approved Ruslan Khmara as the new defense minister.
   • Oleksiy Reznikov was dismissed as defense minister earlier this week.
   • Reznikov had served as defense minister since November 2021.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Reznikov called for wartime elections

   What to watch next

   • The confirmation process for Khmara in the full parliament
   • Reznikov's future political plans
   • The impact of leadership changes on Ukraine's military strategy
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. Bloomberg.com — Ukraine Gets New Defense Chief as Ex-Minister Calls for Election
   2. Українська правда — MPs spent five hours with ministerial candidates on Tuesday: defence committee approves Khmara this morning
   3. Kyiv Post — August 18 Parliament Voting Can Change the Political Field Dramatically
   4. Reuters — New Ukrainian defence minister takes office as ousted predecessor calls for wartime elections
   5. Euronews.com — Ukraine's parliament returns with ministry crises unresolved
   confidence 80%